Atlanta 5-17 Milwaukee 0-2
In a rematch of last year’s semi-final, Atlanta took on Milwaukee in the semi-final of the NACB Playoffs at the Irish Cultural Center in Boston. In the opening minutes, Milwaukee registered the first score of the game however the Atlanta girls responded quickly with a point from thirty yards out from midfielder Sarah Spiller. Ashley Harmon, operating at full forward, collected a pass from Karina Clarke before finishing to the bottom corner of the net to open a gap between the sides. Further points from Spiller (free) and Harmon stretched Atlanta’s lead. At this stage Atlanta’s dominance in the half back line of Amanda DuShane, Fiona O’Donoghue & Jen Beato allowed them to take a firm grip on this game. A fantastic demonstration of skill by center back Amanda DuShane to execute a brilliant score from a 65m free lifted the entire team. The pressure the forward line applied to the Milwaukee back line, with Lauren Alexander being prominent, led to the concession of consecutive frees which were converted by DuShane and midfielder Zoe Beato to leave the Georgia side leading 1-6 to 0-1 twenty minutes into the game.
The long hours spent on the practice field back in Roswell was demonstrated by nice inter-linking play as the Atlanta girls invariably took the right options to make a pass to the girl in space. Milwaukee responded with a close range free however Atlanta dealt the Wisconsin girls some crushing blows before half time as Harmon scored two further goals both of which resulted from diligent support play from Annie Greenwood in the half forward line. Harmon rounded off the half by getting another point from play to leave Atlanta leading at the break by a scoreline of 3-7 to 0-2.
The second started as the previous half ended as Harmon scored a point following an excellent long range pass from Spiller. Jolene Glenn worked tirelessly in this half supplying quality ball into the inside forward line as she shifted between center forward & midfield. Substitutes Carey McCarthy & Ashley Harel made an immediate impact as they were introduced to the forward line. McCarthy scored a point off balance on the run from close range and showed great instincts to finish a goal line scramble to the back of the net. Harel executed a great block on her defender while also scoring two points from play from close range. On her re-introduction to the forward line, Clarke scored a fantastic unorthodox point as she kicked the ball over the bar utilizing her skills as a former Irish international soccer player & stand-out ladies footballer. Zoe Beato scored two further frees in the half and a long range shot deceived the Milwaukee goalie to end up in the net. Greenwood handled the sliotar extensively in this game and fed some excellent ball into the inside line which resulted in another point for Spiller.
The Atlanta defense remained on top in the second half keeping their opponents scoreless with a fantastic leaping catch & clearance from Danielle Lanfear being a standout moment. Virginia Varela-Eyre came into the backline in the second half and showed great hustle along with Kristin Cardell to prevent the Milwaukee forwards gaining any momentum. Spiller closed out the scoring with a long range point. The Milwaukee girls played their hearts out for the MHC which is an inspiration to Atlanta Clan na nGael and the rest of the hurling community in North America. More photos from the day are available here.
Team: Cathi Dugger, Kristin Cardell, Danielle Lanfear, Fiona O’Donoghue, Amanda DuShane (0-3, 1F, 1 65), Jen Beato, Zoe Beato (1-3, 3F) Sarah Spiller (0-4, 1F) Karina Clarke (0-1), Jolene Glenn, Anne Greenwood, Lauren Alexander & Ashley Harmon (3-3). Subs: Ashley Harel (0-2), Carey McCarthy (1-1), Virginia Varela-Eyre & Asha Peplinski
In the other side of the draw, Denver defeated Seattle 1-5 to 1-2 in the preliminary round. Twin Cities defeated Denver in the other semi final by a scoreline of 7-6 to 3-2 in a very entertaining game. Atlanta meet Twin Cities in the Junior Camogie final at 9.20 am on Sunday morning.